USA > Iowa > Polk County > Des Moines > Des Moines, the pioneer of municipal progress and reform of the middle West, together with the history of Polk County, Iowa, the largest, most populous and most prosperous county in the state of Iowa; Volume II > Part 159
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Newton Lamb possessed such advantages of education as were available in the pioneer days. Upon the home farm he spent the years of his boyhood and later he engaged in farming in his native state. He was a pioneer of the county, possessing a strong purpose and an ambition which never faltered in the presence of obstacles. He worked his way through every difficulty to success. He culti- vated the soil and also raised and fed stock and by his good management made both branches of the business profitable.
At Richmond, Indiana, Mr. Lamb was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Evans and by this union nine children were born: Harriet, who became Mrs. Austin Garrett; James, who married Miss Rebecca Stockdale; Casper, who married Miss Louisa Mathews; Henry, who married Miss Flora Brinkerhoff ; Ira, who married Sadie Yergy; Fanny, who became the wife of J. D. Finch ; Orrin ; Rosanna ; and Florence, who became Mrs. Wallace Maricle. Casper died at Sturdivant, Missouri, in 1907 at the age of sixty-one years.
Mr. Lamb was called from earthly scenes in 1892 and a large part of his life was spent in converting the forest or the prairie to the uses of man and as a pioneer he nobly performed his part. His daughter Rosa, who lives on part of the home place, tells of wolves carrying away pigs from under the house while the father was absent on a trip to the mill at Oskaloosa to secure flour for the family. He voted for Martin Van Buren as president of the United States and at the time of the Civil war was an earnest supporter of the Union, being like his grandfather unalterably opposed to slavery. He lived an industrious, honest and upright life and gained the respect of all who knew him.
It will be interesting in this connection to know something more in detail of the pioneer experiences which came to Mr. Lamb and his family following his removal from Richmond, Indiana, to Jefferson county, Iowa, in 1841. He bought a farm in the vicinity of Fairfield but in the fall of 1845 sold that property and removed to the Raccoon Forks, where he had preempted three hundred acres in what is now southeastern Des Moines but was then known as the Sac and Fox Agency. On driving from his former home at Fairfield, Iowa, in a "prairie schooner" the weather was so cold that the wagon cover had to be pulled down to keep out the frost. Shortly after reaching his new farm he took up his abode temporarily in a log cabin near the present site of the Agar packing plant. Dur- ing the winter Mr. Lamb built a substantial log house on his claim and the following spring occupied it. The Indians were numerous, wolves were plentiful and there was every evidence of frontier life but little evidence of modern civil- ization. The Indians in the neighborhood at that time numbered about twenty- five hundred. On returning from their first inspection of their new home the Lamb family discovered an Indian sitting on his pony by the gate. On another occasion Mrs. Newton Lamb pinned a shawl over her head, got upon a horse and went to call on a new settler. The people whom she intended to visit saw her coming and barricaded the doors until satisfied they were not to be attacked Vol. II-66
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by Indians. The relief and laugh that followed when they found their caller a real white neighbor was talked of for many years. Another neighbor on return- ing to her house discovered her baby to be missing and found the child in the Indian camp, the Indians having a great time playing with the little one. That baby is now Mrs. Cassie Newcomber Hardy, of Los Angeles, California. The social life in which the family engaged consisted mainly of log rollings, corn huskings and other such events, on which occasions the few neighbors would get together and assist in the work and visit at the same time. Mr. Lamb, being a splendid violinist, spent many evenings in playing to the entertainment of his family as well as his lonely neighbors, thus breaking the monotonous sound of the yelling Indians engaged in their war dances and also the sound of the night prowlers. The spinning wheel and carpet loom were among the early features in the Newton Lamb household. Then, too, they provided for the winter's needs by putting up great barrels of kraut, gathering a plentiful supply of pumpkins, filling great casks with butter and caves with vegetables. Hogs, too, were killed and meat put by for the winter's use, for no stranger was ever turned away without "eating," as this entertainment of a guest was then styled. Wild turkeys, geese, ducks and other kinds of wild game were to be had in abundance and on one occasion Newton Lamb chased a fawn or young deer across the capital grounds in a vain endeavor to add venison to his table supply. The Lamb family grew and prospered. The children, walking three miles to school and sitting on hard benches, their feet dangling in the air, held their own from an educational standpoint and eventually emerged from these early hardships, some as teachers and all very well qualified to meet the business world. The three- hundred-acre farm on the banks of the Des Moines was selected that they might be near the boats and commercial center, but before this was realized the rail- road train was invented and a line built through, thus succeeding the ox teams and boat traffic. Then came inventions and improvements following each other until when the final call came for this "early settler" he had seen trains, street cars, paved streets, brick blocks, colleges and state buildings at Des Moines, while the Sac and Fox Agency had become incorporated and the three-hundred-acre farm of the family was included within the southeastern part of the city of Des Moines.
WILLIAM M. SHAW.
Agricultural pursuits have always engaged the attention of William M. Shaw, who was born in Washington township, Polk county, May 26, 1873. His parents were the late Joseph and Johanna (Gleason) Shaw, the father a native of Eng- land and the mother of Ireland. The father, who was a veterinary surgeon, emigrated to the United States in his early manhood, engaging in the practice of his profession in Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan, following which he came to Iowa. Locating in Polk county he rented a farm which he operated for ten years with such success that at the expiration of that period he was able to pur- chase two hundred acres in Washington township. He immediately began im- proving and cultivating this property, adding to his holdings at various times until at the time of his demise he owned nine hundred and ten acres of land in this county. Possessing far more than average energy and perseverance, Mr. Shaw continued to be identified with the operation of his homestead until his demise which occurred in November, 1905. His wife did not pass away until August, 1910.
Practically the entire life of William M. Shaw has been spent in this county, as he was reared on the homestead where he was born, acquiring his education in
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the district schools. After laying aside his studies he assisted his father in the work of the farm, thus becoming thoroughly familiar with the practical science of agriculture. After the death of the father the property came into the hands of William M. Shaw and his two brothers, John F. and Timothy J. and sister Julia, who are associated in its cultivation. In addition to his interest in this land Mr. Shaw also owns one hundred and eighty-nine acres, located in Wash- ington and Franklin townships, which he had previously acquired. In connec- tion with his general farming he makes a specialty of raising stock, keeping about one hundred head of cattle and forty horses and he raises annually at least two hundred hogs.
As he has never married, William M. Shaw lives with his brother, John F. and his sister Julia. They are all communicants of the Roman Catholic church and his political support Mr. Shaw gives to the democracy, but he has always been too much absorbed in the development of his own enterprises to actively participate in township affairs.
JESSE H. MATTHEWS.
On the paternal side Jesse H. Matthews, who is prominently known in con- nection with the manufacture of carriages in Des Moines, can claim his descent from ancestors who participated with the patriot army in the Revolutionary war, the family belonging to good Colonial stock. Mr. Matthews is a native of Thompson, Ohio, born January 23, 1866, a son of Charles and Ellen (Daniels) Matthews. They were both natives of Vermont, the father having been born in 1825 and the mother in 1831. The subject of this review was the youngest in a family of three children, the others being: George A., who is married and lives at Jackson, Michigan; and Addie, the wife of Frank Benjamin, of Thompson, Ohio.
Jesse H. Matthews received his preliminary education in the public schools of Warren, Ohio, and was graduated from the high school of that place in 1888. He began his business life in a manufacturing concern at Jackson, Michigan, and continued there from 1889 to 1902. Desiring to take advantage of larger oppor- tunities in the growing west, he came to Des Moines and was made manager of the Capital City Carriage Company, of which he is one of the stockholders. This company manufactures carriages and a general line of light vehicles, and gives employment to about fifty persons. Its sales are not limited to the state of Iowa, but extend into Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and South Dakota. The business has shown a gratifying increase and each year it grows in importance and value. On account of the excellence and reliability of its work and its progressive policy the company ranks favorably with the best manufacturing establishments of the west.
On December 27, 1893, Mr. Matthews was married to Miss Minnie Fox, who was born at Alverton, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and is a daugh- ter of Christopher Fox, a well known farmer of that county. Her mother, Mrs. Agnes Overholt (Stauffer) Fox, was a representative of an old family of Swiss descent. The Overholts were very prominent in Pennsylvania. On her father's side, as far back as is known, members of the family lived in the Keystone state and they were related to William Penn. Christopher Fox died April 1, 19II, having for about ten years survived his wife, who passed away December 20, 1901. To this union were born two children: Minnie, now Mrs. Matthews ; and Nora Agnes, who is living on the old homestead at Alverton, Pennsylvania, in a brick house which was built by their great-grandfather and was the first brick residence erected in Westmoreland county.
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One child, Stuart Fox, has come to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Mat- thews, his natal day being May 14, 1900. Politically Mr. Matthews gives his support to the republican party and religiously he is identified with the Methodist church, being also a member of the Commercial Club of Des Moines. He has had extensive experience as a manufacturer, and being affable and genial in manner, he has a large circle of friends and acquaintances who regard him as a true-hearted man in the best sense of the word, prophesying for him additional prosperity in the years to come.
TODD S. WAGNER.
Todd S. Wagner of Des Moines, was born on a farm in Ripley county, In- diana, December 9, 1866. On the paternal side he is a descendant of stanch Ger- man ancestry, his father, Jacob Wagner, having been born in Alsace, Germany, The mother, Ellen Jane Sunman, before her marriage, was born in Franklin county, Indiana. Mr. Wagner, Sr., was a mechanic in the old country but after coming to America in 1853 he turned his attention to farming. He lived for a time in Ripley county, Indiana, but in 1880 came west to Kansas, settling in Mar- shall county, where he continued until his death, which occurred in 1884. The grandparents on the maternal side also settled in this country.
Todd S. Wagner attended the district schools in Indiana and later in Mar- shall county, Kansas, receiving the foundation of an education which he has since developed by close observation and by reading so that today he is well informed upon all matters of general interest. After arriving at the age of twenty-one years he entered a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres upon government land in the northwestern part of Kansas. Subsequently he sold out and began working at the carpenter's trade, continuing for eighteen years. In 1890 he se- lected Des Moines as his permanent home and since 1907 has engaged success- fully as contractor and builder in this city. Many years of experience have well prepared him for the work which he has carried on in Des Moines.
On the 21st of December, 1895, Mr. Wagner was united in marriage to Miss Russie Sniffin, and two children came to brighten their home: Ralph, born De- cember 19, 1897 ; and Alvin, September II, 1901, both of whom are now attending school. Socially Mr. Wagner is connected with the Homesteaders and the Yeo- men of America, and politically he is a supporter of the republican party whose principles he heartily indorses.
ALBERT P. GROW.
Iowa received a large accession to its population during the years immediately following the Civil war and among those attracted from the east at that time was Albert P. Grow, who is a successful farmer of Camp township, Polk county. He was born in New York state, April 5. 1847, being a son of Tames and Maria (Grow) Grow, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer and pursued his occupation in Illinois but subsequently came to Iowa, locating at Altoona, Polk county. He bought eighty acres of land which he cleared and improved, making it one of the productive properties of that section. He died in .1867 and Mrs. Grow departed this life in New York at the age of seventy-two years.
Albert P. Grow was educated in the district schools and after laying his books aside worked by the month in his native state for several years. He came to Polk county in 1869 and bought forty acres in Camp township, which he cultivated with
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such good results that later he acquired eighty acres more. He has lived upon his farm continuously since taking up his residence there, with the exception of the period of seven years he spent in Des Moines, during which time he rented the place. Under his management it has been brought to a high state of produc- tiveness and is improved with all the appliances suggested to a progressive and enterprising farmer. He keeps six head of cattle, four horses and raises one hundred head of hogs each year, which he generally places upon the market in excellent condition. Aside from his agricultural and stock interests he owns stock in the Mitchellville Telephone Company.
On the 12th of October, 1871, Mr. Grow was married to Miss Mary Rison, a daughter of Rollie and Jane (Miller) Rison, a record of whom appears in this work. Arriving in Iowa in his early manhood, Mr. Grow has spent the princi- pal years of his life in Polk county and has met with a measure of success which guarantees a gratifying annual income for himself and wife during the remainder of their lives. He has always been controlled by a worthy ambition and is recog- nized as one of the substantial citizens of Camp township. Since casting his first ballot he has supported the republican party and has been a consistent ad- vocate of good government in township, county and nation. He served as road supervisor in his township for three years but has never sought any other political office. Religiously he and his wife affiliate with the Christian church.
CHARLES A. WATROUS.
Charles A. Watrous, one of the leading architects of Des Moines, is a native of this city, born June 12, 1875, the son of Charles L. and Sophia ( Glover) Wat- rous, the latter of whom was born at Homer, New York. The father, who is a · native of Freetown, New York, is now president of the Watrous nurseries of this city.
Charles A. Watrous received his preliminary education in the public schools and graduated from the West Des Moines high school in 1894. He was con- nected with the office of George Hallett, a noted architect of Des Moines, during 1894 and 1895. Having decided upon a professional career, he studied architec- ture in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at Boston, from which he was graduated in 1899, with the degree of S. B. After leaving college he was for about a year employed in the office of Mr. Ralph E. Sawyer of Boston and for several years thereafter in the offices of various architects in Boston and New York. In the spring of 1906 Mr. Watrous opened offices in Des Moines with Mr. Sawyer of Boston as an associate, Mr. Sawyer having charge of the Boston office while Mr. Watrous was at the head of the office of the firm in Des Moines. In the spring of 1909 the business of the Des Moines office had increased to such an extent that it was necessary for Mr. Sawyer to close the Boston office and re- move permanently to Des Moines. Some of the most beautiful residences in the city have been designed by this firm, as well as the Press Club building, Hotel Cargill, and the Des Moines Electric sub-station.
On the 14th day of April, 1903, Mr. Watrous was united in marriage to Miss Cora Campbell Wolcott, of Brookline, Massachusetts, a daughter of George H. and Ellen (Campbell) Wolcott, the parents both belonging to well known Massa- chusetts families.
Two children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Watrous ; Marion Wol- cott, who was born November 25, 1905, in the same house in which her father was born; and Charles Wolcott, born October 16, 1908. Mr. Watrous is identi- fied with the Episcopal church, and with the Loyal Legion, the Grant, Commercial and New Des Moines Clubs. He and his wife hold membership in the Country Club, she being also an active worker in behalf of the Roadside Day Nursery.
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Mr. Watrous has always been an enthusiast in athletics, and is still an active supporter of all forms of out door sport.
The family reside at 2829 Ingersoll avenue where Mr. Watrous built a few years ago.
CHARLES H. CLARKE.
Newspaper work possesses an irresistible fascination for many persons, at- tracting them from other lines of activity, and having once become identified with the vocation it is often difficult indeed for an individual to be satisfied in any other calling. Charles H. Clarke, publisher of the Iowa State Register and Farmer, prepared early in life for the profession of civil engineering but gave up the theo- dolite for a desk in the newspaper office, and judging by the popularity of the paper over which he presides he has no reason to regret the change of occupation. He is a native of Beloit, Wisconsin, born September 8, 1861, and a son of Charles and Sarah S. (Bemis) Clarke. The mother was born at Spencer, Massachusetts, and early members of the family were among the first boot and shoe manufac- turers in that state. The Howes, of sewing machine fame, were relatives of Mrs. Clarke, her ancestors being among the early settlers of the Bay state. Mr. Clarke, Sr., was born at Northampton, Massachusetts, and traced his line of descent from Colonel William Clarke, who died and was buried at Northampton in 1647. The parents of our subject moved west to Wisconsin in 1859, and the father enlisted in the Civil war, serving over three years. He was mustered out as quartermaster in the army of the Potomac. After the close of the war the family came to Iowa ·and settled on a farm near Independence in Buchanan county.
Charles H. Clarke received his early education in the district schools and later entered the civil engineering department of the Iowa State University, from which he graduated in 1884. He took up his residence in Des Moines immedi- ately after leaving the university and engaged for eight years in railroad work. He then became connected with the newspaper business, demonstrating his ability in the advertising department of the Iowa Homestead, and later he purchased the Iowa State Register and Farmer. By introducing new methods and improving the editorial department Mr. Clarke soon made the Register and Farmer popular and profitable. His special field is advertising and in this he has been eminently successful.
On the 8th of June, 1892, Mr. Clarke was married to Miss Anna Ross, daugh- ter of James M. and Hattie E. (Harper) Ross, and to this union two children have been born, namely : Louise, now seventeen years of age and Ross, aged nine years. The parents of Mrs. Clarke came to Des Moines from Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1865. For more than thirty years Mr. Ross was identified with the business, social, religious and educational interests of Des Moines. He was a partner in the firm of Mills & Company, publishers, bookbinders, state printers, etc. He was a deacon and pillar of the Baptist church, a charter member and founder of the city library and incorporator of the town of North Des Moines, and for many years a member of the town council. A prominent factor for good in the com- munity from the time he arrived in the city, when the population was only ten thousand, until his death which occurred after a long illness in January, 1893. Prior to coming west he was principal of the Woodward High school at Cincin- nati, where his name is still revered for his remarkable work in education. He was the first teacher to insist that children of the primary schools should be taught to write their letters instead of first learning to print them. His interest in the public schools never flagged and North Des Moines owes much to him in this regard. He was also one of the most accomplished Bible scholars in the
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west and conducted for many years the Bible class of the First Baptist church, to which teachers from other Sunday schools as well as the Sunday school of his own church came regularly for help in preparing their weekly lessons. One who knew him intimately has the following to say of his character: "A Kentucky gentleman of the old school, learned, versatile, deeply refined as a teacher, a strict disciplinarian ; a man whose word was as good as his bond; always doing something for somebody quiety, unostentatiously, without thought of praise or gain." Such is a brief summary of the beautiful life of James M. Ross.
Politically, Mr. Clarke adheres to the Cleveland school of democracy and in religious belief affiliates with the Episcopal church, having been one of the ar- ganizers of St. Luke's church of Des Moines. For a number of years he was actively identified with the associated charities and served very acceptably as president of the organization. He is not connected with any secret societies but is an earnest worker in the Commercial Club and in other agencies for the pro- motion of the development of Des Moines and the great state of Iowa. Never seeking public honors, he has proceeded steadily and systematically in his busi- ness and has gained a measure of success which indicates sound judgment, clear discrimination and a happy foresight, all of which are important in the accom- plishment of worthy undertakings. Fortunate in his family and his business rela- tions he is known as an upright and honorable citizen, a credit to his city and state and a worthy member of the great and increasing brotherhood of progressive men.
FRANK E. WETHERELL.
In no profession has there been greater advancement during the last gen- eration than in that of architecture. The wonderful growth of the country has encouraged many talented men to prepare for this profession as their life work, and the effect of their genius is seen in the beautiful homes and commodious office and public buildings in every thriving community. The remarkable improve- ment in building has been due mainly to these wide awake and progressive minds. Frank E. Wetherell of Des Moines, belongs to this class. He was born in Malta, Ohio, September 5, 1869, the son of Henry and Elmyra (Shields) Wetherell. The father is also a native of Malta. He is a contractor and builder, and since 1875, has made his home at Oskaloosa, Iowa. The mother was born in Morgan county, Ohio, and married at Malta.
Frank E. Wetherell received his preliminary education in the public schools of Oskaloosa, and after preparing his course in the Oskaloosa high school, ma- triculated at the State University of Iowa. Having decided to devote his atten- tion to architecture as an avocation he studied the subject thoroughly and began an active career at Oskaloosa in 1892, being then twenty-two years of age. In 1894, he removed to Peoria, Illinois, where he continued for four years, return- ing to Oskaloosa in 1908, where he met with gratifying success in the pursuits to which by education and ability he seemed especially adapted. In 1905, he lo- cated at Des Moines, becoming associated with the firm of Wetherell & Gage, with an ample suite of offices at No. 202 Youngerman Building. The firm has designed some of the principal structures now completed or in course of erec- tion in this city, among which may be named St. Joseph's Academy, the Mer- chants Transfer Block, a number of state fair buildings, school houses, etc., and also many private residences. Mr. Wetherell is especially interested in civic im- provements, and has been instrumental in greatly advancing the interest along those lines in Des Moines. He was appointed a member of the Des Moines Boule- vard Commission in 1911 by the mayor.
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